Power moving apparatus and remote control therefor



C. L. KERN Oct. 9, 1951 POWER MOVING APPARATUS AND REMOTE CONTROL THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1948 N r M Oct. 9, 1951 c. L. KERN 2,570,350

POWER MOVING APPARATUS AND REMOTE CONTROL THEREFOR Filed NOV. 29, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 noentor C L. KERN Oct. 9, 1951 POWER MOVING APPARATUS AND REMOTE CONTROL THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 29, 1948 Char/ea L. Ker/7 (Ittornegs Patented Oct. 9, 1951 POWER MOVING APPARATUS AND REMOTE CONTROL THEREFOR Charles L. Kern, Capps, Ark, assignor of one-half to Alice L. Smith, Kansas City, Mo.

Application November 29, 1948, Serial No. 62,563 3 Claims. (01. 254-166) forming necessary operations in the clearing,'

plowing and farming of land. v

In some areas, due to hills, stones, trees and other features of the land, it is not practicalto till same. A tractor of conventional type is substantially useless as the hills are too steep or other conditions exist whereby a tractor does not have sufficient power to move itself and pull a plow or other equipment over the terrain. It requires from fifty to ninety percent of the power of the tractor to move it alone over some areas, thereby reducing the power applicable for moving farm implements or otherwise performing useful work. Also it is diflicult to move out down shoulders, level gullies and move stones for control of water flow and reduction of soil erosion with conventional equipment.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a power device which may be spotted at a chosen location having power-operated winches connected by lines to the equipment to be moved over the terrain whereby the full power of the power unit on the device is available for moving said equipment; to provide a power device for moving implements over an area for Working the soil without leaving tire m rks of tracks therein; to provide a remote control for the power device for effecting operation thereof from the position of the implement or other device being moved; to provide a power device embodying in connection with the gearing and power unit; for

propelling the vehicle a plurality of selectively operable power-driven means for moving or raising implements or other material constitutin the load toward or away fromthe vehicle; to provide electric operating devices controlled'from a position remote from the power device for selectively effecting forward and reverse drive of the implement moving apparatus; to provide novel mechanism for guiding and supporting the load moving cables; and to provide" a remote control, power moving mechanism of simple, economical construction, that can be driven from the engine of the vehicle in such a manner as to apply the full power thereof for the moving of implements and be controlled in a simple and convenient manner;

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the power moving apparatus and control therefor in position for moving implements or the like as in the working of land.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the power moving apparatus illustrated as being connected to a plow for the farming of land.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan View of the motor vehicle illustrating the position of the cable operating devices thereon.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the power moving apparatus, portions being broken away to better illustrate the drive for the vehicle.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5, Fig. 3, showing the drive for the cable guiding mechanism.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the gear shifting lever for reversing the direction of movement of the cable guiding mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control for the apparatus.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a vehicle having a frame 2 provided with front and rear axles 3 and 4 carrying wheels 5 and 6 respectively in a similar manner to a conventional motor truck. The front wheels are suitably mounted for steering by means of a steering wheel I. 8 designates the engine installed at the front of the frame and communicating power in the usual manner through the transmission 9 to a drive shaft in under control of a clutch-operating pedal H. The transmission 9 contains suitable gears (not shown) operated by a gear shift lever 12 for effecting various forward and reverse speeds of the drive shaft Ill. The drive shaft l0 extends toward the rear of the frame 2 and has suitable driving connection with the rear axle. For example a sprocket I3 is rotatably mounted on the end of the drive shaft and is engageable by a clutch collar [4 keyed to the shaft and slidable thereon by a lever I5 to effect driving of the sprocket I3. The sprocket I3 is operably connected by a chain [6 with a sprocket l1 mounted on a shaft l8 having suitable driving connection with a differential gearing inside of the housing [9 of the rear axle 4.

The frame 2 is preferably provided with a plurality of transverse longitudinally spaced members 25, 2| and 22, having depending bearing members 23 for supporting the drive shaft I 0. Freely rotatable on the drive shaft between the transverse members 20 and 2| is a flanged drum 24 and rotatably mounted on the drive shaft between the transverse members 2l and 22 is a flanged drum 25. Mounted on the drive shaft l0 are automatic mechanical clutches 26 and 2? adapted to eifect driving connection between the shaft l and the drums 24 and 25 respectively. The clutches are such that rotation of the shaft H3 in clockwise direction will cause the clutch 26 to efiect driving of the drum 24 and the clutch 2 1 will allow free turning of the drum 25 at any speed. Rotation of the shaft [6 in a counter clockwise direction will cause the clutch 21 to effect driving of the drum '25 and will allow free turning of the drum 24 at any speed. A cable 39 is wound upon the drum 24 in such direction that rotation of the drum from the shaft It will result in further winding of the cable on the drum. A cable Si is wound upon the drum 25 in such direction that the rotation of the drum from the drive shaft It] When cable is being wound on the drum 24 will result in unwinding of the cable from the drum 25. In other words, the cables 39 and 3| are wound on the respective drums in opposite directions. The end 32 of the cable 38 is adapted to be attached to a plow or other device to be moved whereby operation of the motor 8 to turn the drive shaft It in a normal forward direction with the clutch Z6 engaged with the drum 29, will draw the plow or other implement toward the vehicle.

The cable 31 extends over a pulley 33 of the pulley block 34 adapted to be secured to a stake 35 driven or otherwise applied in the ground on the opposite side of the field over which the plow is to be operated, the end of said cable 31 being attached to the end of the plow opposite the attachment of the cable 33. With this arrangement, disengagement of the drive connection with the drum 24 and engagement of the drive connection with the drum 25 will cause the cable 3| to be wound on the drum 25 to draw the plow toward the stake 35. r

In order to guide the cables 38 and 3| for proper spooling on the respective drums, cable guides 36 and 31 are threadably mounted on screws 38 and 39 respectively rotatably carried in bearings 19 depending from extensions H secured to the transverse members 29, 2| and 22 by suitable fastening devices 42, such as bolts or the like. The guide members 36 and 31 have arms 43 adapted to engage and ride on a rail 44 suitably secured to the end of the extensions 4!, where by the arms 43 prevent the guides 38 and 31 from rotating with the screws 39 and 39. The screws are suitably driven through the reversing mechanism 45 from sprockets 55 and 81 secured to the drums 24 and 25. Chains 88 and "i9 drivingly connect the sprockets 46 and t"! with sprockets 56 and respectively carried on shafts 52 rotatably mounted in arms 53 in spaced relation to the shaft ID. The opposite ends of the arms 53 are rotatably mounted on the drive shaft I9 adjacent the drums 2d and 25. With this arrangement, the arms 53 may rotate about the drive shaft I9 to change the position of the shaft 52 without altering the length of vthe chains 48 and 49. 1

The shafts 52 extend through slots 54 of. plates 55 and 56 carried on opposite sides of the extension 4| mounted on the transverse member 2|, the upper ends of said plates being held in spaced relation by a channel member 5'! secured thereto. Rotatably mounted on the adjacent ends of the shafts 52 are arms 56, the outer ends of which carry shafts 59 rotatably mounting gears 66 meshing with gears 8| on the shafts 52. Each of said arms is provided with slots 62 engaging pins 63 carried in the plates 55 and 56 whereby swinging of the arm 53 effects a swinging movement of the arm 58 and controls engagement of the gears 99 and 6| with gears 54 carried on shafts 55 rotatably mounted in the plates 55 and 56, the outer ends of the shafts 65 having sprockets 66 fixed thereon for driving chains 6? operatively connecting the sprocket 68 with sprockets 68 on the screws 38 and 39 respectively.

Swinging movement of the arms 53 is controlled by bars 89 having one end rotatably mounted on the shafts 52 and the opposite end slidably mounted in brackets l8 fixed to the outer faces of the plates 55 and 5 said bars having pins H engaging in slots 12 of toggle links 13 extending on opposite sides of the bars 59, the outer ends of the links being pivotally mounted as at 14 to the plates 55 and 56. The links are provided with lugs 45 arranged between the slots and the pivotal connections, said lugs being connected by a spring 15 tending to hold the links on one side or the other of dead center position of said links.

-The rail 44 is provided with stops l1 and 18 adapted to be engaged by the arms 43 when the guides 36 and 3'! reach the end of the movement toward the ends of the drums and the spooling of the cable thereon. When the arms 43 engage the lugs 11 or 18, the resistance to movement causes the gears 69 or Bl engaging the gear 68 to tend to slip from said engaging relation to rock the arms 58 on the pins 62, moving the bar 89 past the dead center position of the links 13. This movement and the rocking movement of the arm 58 effect engagement of the other gear with the gear 64 to reverse the direction of rotation of the screws 38 and 39.

Operation of the drums 24 and 25 is controlled remote from the vehicle I by means of a plurality of switches BI, 82, 83 and 84 in a control box 85, wires leading to the switches in the terminal being enclosed in a conduit 86 which is wound on a reel 81 rotatably mounted in supports 88 on the side of the frame 2. Any suitable means for' rotating the reel for winding the conduit thereon may be used. Located in the conduit are wires 68, 89, 99 and 9| leading to terminals of the push-button switches 8|, 82, 83, and 84 respectively, the other terminals of the switches being connected'to a ground wire 92 also located in the conduit. The respective wires are connected to conductor rings 93 on the shaft of the reel 81, said rings being contacted by brushes 94 to form a continuation of the wires to the electrical apparatus for controlling the clutch and gear shift mechanism.

The clutch pedal is provided with a spring 95 tending to hold same in a clutch-engaging position. In order to throw the clutch out or in disengaged position, the clutch pedal is connected by a link 96 with the electrical mechanism in a housing 91 carried under the hood of the vehicle. The gear shift lever is provided with a spring 98 tending to hold same in position for engaging gears in the transmission to operate the drive shaft I0 in a forward direction,the gear shift lever being moved to effect engagement of the reverse gears by means of a link 99 connected with electrically operated mechanism in the housing I99 located under the hood of the vehicle. The link 96 connected with the clutch pedal has its opposite end connected to a rack Ilil meshing with a pinion I62 adapted to be driven by a motor I83. When the clutch is .in engaged position and it is desired to disengage same, the switch 84 is pressed to complete the circuit from abattery I04 through conductor I05 to a contact I06 of a relay I01, said contact also being connected by a conductor I08 leading to a limit switch, the other terminal of the switch IIO being connected by a conductor III to a coil of a relay H2, the other terminal of the coil being connected to the conductor SI to complete the circuit through the switch 84 and ground conductor 92 which is connected to the frame of the vehicle. The flow of current through said circuit closes the contacts of the relay H2, which are connected by a conductor H3 with the contact I06, the other contact of said relay being con nected by a conductor H4 with the contact H5 of the relay I01, the contact I I5 being connected by a conductor I I6 with the terminal of the motor I03, the other terminal of which is connected to the ground.

The contact I I5 is also connected to the coil of the relay I 01, said coil being connected through the limit switch II! to a ground connection whereby the relay I01 forms a holding circuit for continuous energization of the motor I03 to move the rack IOI sufiiciently to disengage the clutch, at which time the limit switches I I0 and ;I I1 will be disengaged; Simultaneously with disengagement of the limit switches a spring-pressed latch H8 will engage in a recess H9 in the rack IN to hold the clutch in disengaged position. Also limit switches I20, I2I and I22 will be engaged for use as later described.

While the clutch is disengaged the gear shift lever may be operated to change the direction of operation of the drive shaft I 0. The link 99 connected to the gear shift lever is suitably connected to a rack I23 having meshing engagement with a pinion I24 driven by a motor I25. In order to shift the gears to the reverse, the push-button BI is operated to close the switch whereby current will flow from the battery I04 through a conductor I26 to contacts I2? and I28 of relays I29 and I30 respectively. A branch conductor I3I causes current to flow to a limit switch I32 connected by a conductor I33 to the coil I34 of the relay I29, the terminal of the coil I34 being connected by a conductor I35 to the limit switch I20, the other terminal'of which is connected by the conductor 88 to the switch 8| for flow of current therethrough and through the ground connection 86. Completion of said circuit energizes the relay I29 to operate same to complete a circuit from the battery through the conductor I20, relay I29, conductor I35, and the terminal I36 of the relay I30, said terminal being connected by a conductor I31 with the motor I 25, the other terminal of which is connected to the ground, energizing the motor to move the rack and draw the gear shift lever toward reverse position.

Flow of current to the motor also effects flow of current from the contact I 30 through a conductor I38, to the coils of the relay I30, the other terminal of the coil being connected by a conductor I39 with the limit switch I40 the other terminal of which is connected to the ground to complete the circuit and hold the circuit to the motor for continuously energizing same to complete the movement of the gear shift lever until the reverse gear is engaged at which time the limit switches I32 and I40 are disengaged. Simultaneously with disengagement of the limit switches a latch I4I engages in a recess I42 in the rack I23 to hold same in the reverse position. Also a limit switch I43 is engaged.

If it is desired to move the gear shift lever to forward gear position, the push-button switch 82 is operated to complete a circuit from the battery I04 through the conductor I26, branch I3I and a'solenoid coil I44 adapted to disengage the latch I4I from the rack I23. The other terminal of the coil I44 is connected by aconductor I45 with the limit switch I43, the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor I46 through the limit switch I2I to conductor 89 to complete a circuit therethrough and through the push-. button 82 and ground conductor 86. The release of the latch I M permits the springs 98 to draw the gear shift lever to the forward position, dis,- engaging the limit switch I43 and engaging limit switches I32 and I40.

In order to engage the clutch, the push-button switch 83 is .closed to complete a circuit from the battery I04 through the conductor I05, limit switch I22, conductor I41 to a solenoid coil I48,

adapted to withdraw the latch H8 from .the'

recess H9 in the rack WI. The other terminal of the coil I48 is connected by the conductor 90 to the push-button switch 83 to complete the cirs cuit through the ground connection 88. Releasing the latch I I8 permits the springs 95 to move the clutch operati-n g pedal to engaged position.

' In operating a device constructed as described the vehicle is driven to one side of a field to be cultivated in a suitable position for operating the farm implement, such as a plow. A chain I50 is then connected at spaced points on the vehicle and an intermediate point to a stake I5I. The chain may be applied to a pulley on the stake to permit some freedom of movement or positioning of the vehicle relative to the stake. A cable 3I is then drawn from the drum 25, threaded through a pulley I53 and a stake I54 driven into the ground on the opposite side of the field, the endof the cable 3I being drawn back through the vehicle and secured to the end of the cable 30. The push-button 84 is then operated to energize the motor I03 tov move the clutch lever to disengaged position; The engine 8 is then started and the push-button 8| depressed to energize the motor I25 as described to move the gear shift lever to reverse position. The push-button 83 is depressed to release the latch I I8 permitting the spring to re-engage the clutch effecting reverse operation of the drive shaft I0 and operation of thedrurn 25 to wind the cable 3I thereon, drawing the cable 30 into the field. When the cable reaches the plow or other implement, the pushbutton 84 is depressed to energize the motor I03 to disengage the clutch and stop operation of the drum 25. When the end of the cable 30 reaches the plow it is connected on one end thereof and the cable 3I on the other. After the cables are connected to the plow, the push-button 83 may be depressed to effect release of the latch 8| to permit engagement of the clutch and continue movement of the plow across the field toward the stake. When the plow reaches the side of the field, the push-button 84 is depressed to again energize the motor I03 to disengage the clutch. Then the push-button 82 is depressed to release the clutch I4I to permit the spring 98 to move the gear shift lever to the forward position and the push-button 83 1s then operated to release the latch H8 to re-engage the clutch to drive the drum 24 to wind the cable thereon and draw the plow toward the vehicle, the full power of the motor being applied to the plow or other farm implement. As the drum 24 is operating, the sprocket thereon drives the chain to rotate the sprocket 5 I, which drives the gear 6| meshed with the gear 64 to drive the sprocket 66 and chain 64,

rotating the sprocket 88 to turn the screw and move the cable guide thereon. When the cable guide reache the end of its travel it engages the stop and resistance to movement causes pressure on the gear 6| tending to force same out of engagement with the gear 64. As the gear 6| moves out of engagement forcing the bar 69 in the opposite direction, it moves the pin H past the dead center position of the link 13 whereby the spring lecontinues the movement and completely disengages the gear 6| from the gear 64. This movement, which is an are about the drive shaft In, due to the arm 53 supporting the shaft 52 carrying the gear 6|, also swings the arm 58 in an are about the pin 62 to effect engagement of the gear 60 with the gear 64, whereby the gear 6| meshing with the gear 60 which in turn meshes with the gear 64, reverses direction ofmovement of the sprocket 66 and sprocket 68, turning the screw in a reverse direction to move the cable guide back across the frame in front of the drum 24. As the cable guide reaches the other end of its movement, it again engages a stop while the pressure tends to force the gear 60 out of engagement with the gear 64, swinging the arm 58 about the pin 62 and moving the gear into engagement with the gear- 64, which movement is continued by the pin ll passing the dead center position of the link 13 whereby the spring 16 will complete the movement of the gear to effect engagement and reverse direction of the travel of the screw whereby the guide again moves across same. The guide for the drum 25 operates in the same manner.

1. In a vehicle having a plurality of cable reels thereon and a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the motor with a gear shift transmission selectively connected to the reels for selectively driving same in forward and reverse directions, means for selectively engaging and disengaging the clutch, a lever for shifting the gears in the transmission from forward to reverse. a spring connected to the gear shift lever urging the lever to forward position, means including an electric motor connected to the gear shift lever, an electric circuit connected to the motor for energizing same and moving the gear shift lever to reverse position, a latch for retaining the gear shift lever in reverse position, a portable control box, a plurality of switches in the control box and connected in the electric circuits through a long multi-wire cable for controlling movement of the gear shift lever from a position remote to the vehicle, and means including an electric circuit operable from switches in the portable control box for releasing the latch whereby the spring will mov the ea h t l ver o f rw r position.-

2. In a vehicle having a plurality of cable reels thereon and a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the motor with a gear transmission selectively connected to the reels for selectively driving same in forward and reverse directions, a

clutch lever for operating the vehicle clutch, a spring connected to the clutch lever for moving same to engage the clutch, means including an electric motor operatively connected to the clutch lever for moving same to disengaged position, an electric circuit for energizing said motor, a portable control box, a plurality of switches in the portable control box connected into the electric circuit by a long, multi-wire cable for controlling the electric circuits remotely of the vehicle, a lever for shifting the gears in the transmission from forward to reverse, a spring connected to the gear shift lever urging the lever toforward position, means including an electric motor connected to the gear shift lever, an electric circuit connected to the motor for energizing same and moving the gear shift lever to reverse position, a latch for retaining the gear shift lever in reverse position, a switch in said portable control box for controlling the electric circuits to energize the motor for moving the gear shift lever, and mean including an electric circuit operable from positions remotely of the vehicle for releasing the latch whereby the spring will move the gear shift lever to forward position.

3. In a vehicle having a plurality of cable reels thereon and a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the motor with a gear shift transmission selectively connected to the reels for selectively driving same in forward and reverse directions, a clutch lever for operating the clutch, a lever for shifting the gears in the transmission from forward to reverse, a reciprocable member connected to the clutch lever, a second reciprocable member connected to the transmission lever, electric motors having driving connection with the respective reciprocable members for operating same to move the respective levers, an electric circuit for energizing said motors, a portable control box, a plurality of switches in the control box, a long, multi-wire cable connecting the switches into the electric circuit for selective operation of the motors whereby said motors may be operated while the control box is remote to the vehicle, limit switches in the electric circuit and operable by the reciprocable members for stopping the respective motors when the clutch and transmission levers are 'moved to selected limits, latches for retaining the reciprocable members at a selected limit of movement in one direction, and means in the electric circuit operable from a switch in the portable control box for releasing said latches to permit movement of the reciprocable member in the reverse direction.

' CHARLES L. KERN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' v UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 765,833 Hamilton July 26, 1904 1,411,829 Atkinson Apr. 4, 1922 1,413,094 Bergey Apr. 18, 1922 1,483,231 Maynard Feb. 12, 1924 1,801,246 Foltz' Apr. 14, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,512 Great Britain of 1877 

